Author: Graham Russell

Nintendo’s first foray into dual-screen gaming was a phenomenon, a staple in the scene for almost a decade. And you’d better believe that there are a host of great imports on it, too! Here’s our guide to getting the best the system has to offer.

The PlayStation Portable is one of those systems that managed to bridge the gap between regions, while still primarily finding success in Japan. For you, that means it’s easy to get a PSP, and it also means there are a ton of great imports to discover! Here are the best of the bunch.

With its 30th anniversary, a lot of people have been talking about the long-running strategy franchise, and many are being introduced to what it has to offer. So where do you start if you want to get into the series? What’s the next step if you enjoy Three Houses or mobile hit Fire Emblem Heroes, and where do you go after that? We’re here to help you answer those questions.

The Nintendo Switch has made it easier than ever for Western Nintendo fans to enjoy import-only games, and it’s a good thing, too, because there’s some fun stuff to check out! (Even if, due to so many localizations about which we will not complain, the options are still a bit slim.) Here’s your guide to what you should be playing that hasn’t made it to Western eShops.

From the makers of the Power Pros baseball series comes a… well, it’s basically Mario Golf or Hot Shots Golf! A cool late-life DS import, it released in Japan in March 2011, right as the 3DS released in Japan and too close to its US launch to have a chance in the West. Watch for more!

As the 3DS moves into its retirement years, it’s an intriguing time to jump into the world of its imports, as it’s clearer than ever to see which games will never see Western release. Sadly, it’s not region-free, but if you take the plunge on the hardware (or explore other options), there are a lot of compelling Japan-only experiences to try, even if you don’t know the language!

The games importing hobby can be a difficult one to get into, purely due to logistics. As always, we want to help! So here’s the rundown on systems’ barriers and specialties, to help you know where to start.

There are many great reasons to get into retro imports: the games are generally less text-intensive, the tech’s usually easy to overcome and there’s little risk that you’ll be burned by importing something that gets localized later. So what are your best bets on the SNES? Read on!